Measuring rule



N0v.15,1932. JM DOUGOWTO 1,888,113

MEASURING RULE Inventor A Homey Nov. 15, 1932. J. M. DoUGovlTo MEASURING RULE Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor m w we v \\\\\\\\\\\`\\\\\\\^AMAMM`\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\. Nk \m\w M m n mn @n @n n E Q r LLLENFERYTF Il.

Attorney Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFEicE JOSEPH M. DOUGOVITO, F CEDAR RIVER, MICHIGAN MEASURING RULE Application led February 21, 1930. Serial No. 430,289.V i'

This invention relates to improvements in measuring rules and has particular reference to a compact telesooping rule for carpenters and mechanics use.

The primary object of the invention resides in a rule constructed of a plurality ofV 2Q sections are provided with interlocking means engageable when the sections are in a fully extended position for securely locking them in such position against accidental movement.

` With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly i pointed out in the appended claim, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which: o

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved carpenters rule showing the same Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same in a completely folded position with parts broken away in section.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the same with :9i parts broken away in section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through the casing section showing the rule sections in extended position.

-- Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the interlocking means between the outermost rule sections and the section in which it telescopes.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional Qi view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

.Figure 7 Vis an enlarged verticalltransverse sectional view on the line 7 -.-7 of Figure'4.'

V`Referringto the drawings by reference charactersfthe numeral 10 designates my improvedcarpenters rule in its entirety which 'includes a vhollow casing or base section 11,

which is closed at one end as at 12, while the oppositeend is open for telescopically receiving the respective rule sections 13, .14, 15, 16` and 17.v yAll ofthe rule sections are constructed "of -resilientv metal and all' excepting the outer most section 17 are substantiallytubiilar in cross'section and of a` rectangularconfiguration as will be best seen in Figure 7 of the drawings. The rulefsec-v tions gradually taper fromth'eA casing section 11 tothe outermost section 17 and one ofthe edges .is provided with graduations 18 representing inchesand` fractions thereof@ The rule in the present instance is constructed of six sections for producing a thirty-six inch rule but' it is understood that the sections may be increased to increase the length of the rule or decrease depending -upon the size of rule desired.Y

Each section 13V to 17, inclusive, has a spring tongue 19 stamped from one ofthe walls thereof and whichtongue has a tend- 'encyf to bear against one of the flat side walls of the rule section in which the particularl section telescopes, the outer free end of each spring tongue being provided with a rounded or ball head or teat 20, whichhead is adapted to seat in an opening 21 vprovided adjacent one end of eachk of the sections 11,

13, 14, and 16. The heads 2O snap intoV theopeniiigs 21when the respective rule vsections have been pulled 'tothe limit of their extension movement. In order todisengage the heads 2O from thewa-lls of the opening 21,' it is only lnecessary to push inwardly fupon the respective rule sections,or the op'- erator may depress the spring `tongue by inserting and pressing his finger upon Y the heads which are disposed within the opening 21. Y

v i Contained within the casing section lland abutting the closed end wally 12 thereof is an expansion spring'22, which spring is placed;

undercompresson when the rule sections are y it' telescopes for' preventingy accidental,v ex` tension o the section,.thus if the section 13T in a folded or telescoped position, thusplacing the telescoped sections 13 to 17, inclusive, under tension. For the purpose of holding the telescoped sections Within the casing section 11 against the action of the spring 22, l provide suitable catch means which includes a resilient slide member 23, mounted upon the exterior of the casing` section. l1, and which slide member is provided with an elongated slot 24h through which headed studs 25 extend, andwvhichservevl to slidabl'yy secure the member to the casing section.. One end of the slide member is turnedl up` Wardly to provide a manipulating portion,

26, While the other end is odset, and has a bore head 2.7: onthe-unden side thereof,.the said:l head being kextendable through' an openingf Q-viniy one otxthev side Walls-.ofi thecasing section.. Thehead 27 which. passes` throughy the opening E28 is adapted to enter an open'-` ing 297 adjacent the .outer end` of' the rule'.

section 13 as best; seen' in Figure Sffor the purpose of preventingk accidental outwardi movement of' the sectionv 13k against the ac tion of the* springvv 22'; When the sections are in telescoped positiomthe-v heads 20': of:

the spring tongues 19frictionally engage the adjacent sidewall ofthe section withI which islockedl against theV action offthe spring22, all ofV the sections are-preventedfrom. being extended;Y Hovvever,. by: shifting the slide platelQS so as to causethehead 27V to disen gage the lopening 29, tlfie-springy 22will cause the telescoped sections to beVY extended through the open end: of the casing: 11'. Where by the operator"may grasp' the partially exetendedl rule sections andpull themto a nlly` extended position at which time the respec-r tive locking tongues 19 interlock with the particular'section. ByA this arrangement the rulev is held in a fully extendedV position against Vaccidental v folding and: may' bey usedx in ay mannerfsimilar to the present type 0i`r flexiblel steel rule.

AFrom the foregoing description it will be seen that the rule may be compactly folded into the base section or casing' lil'. andi the rule' conveniently carried in' the pocket' of "a user.

Having thus described the'invention; 'what I' claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patents is f Y In a measuring device, a plurality offrelaf tively flat telescoping sections providedvwith U-shaped incisions deining longitudinally extending spring tongues, saidtongues being provided at points spaced'inward'of'the sides and the free ends thereofwith rounded protuberances, said sections beingv provided with apertures'for the partial reception of said rounded Y protuberances to yieldinglyV hold said sections in a predetermined position, and a casing'receiving said sections andhaving 

